Bennett's Stage Debut

This past week Bennett was the center of attention...but, for the first time in a long time, it wasn't for CF:  On Saturday, Bennett made his theatrical debut in his first on-stage community play.

Three pups: A dalmatian (Bennett), a chihuahua and a scottish terrier (our friend Hudson on the end)

Bennett, along with a crew of 50+ kids (ages 7-15), attended theatre camp put on by the Waco Independent School District Theatre Department.  At the end of 5 full days of practicing, dancing and making their own costumes, the kids put on two community performances of "Disney's 101 Dalmatians Kids."  The show was incredibly adorable!

Each child who participated in the camp had a role in the play.  Most kids, like Bennett, were part of the ensemble of Dalmatian puppies.  Some children tried out for speaking roles a few weeks before the camp started (I found out about the camp too late for Bennett to try out). Bennett was hesitant at the beginning of the summer of doing any camps without his brother to be there with him.  But as the summer moved along, Bennett's confidence begin to build.  When I found out about this camp, Bennett agreed he was ready to try something new and all by himself.  

Bennett is on the far right.

Brian and I knew, without a doubt, that Bennett would love theatre camp.  Bennett is incredibly playful, loves to dress up, enjoys making people laugh, has a naturally comedic sense to him and enjoys singing.  

The wonderful thing is we were right.  Bennett did love it.  Bennett even won an award at camp for having the best puppy dog face.  He took the role very seriously. :) 

While I was very excited for Bennett to have a chance to try something new that I knew he would love, I definitely felt anxious.  The camp took very good care of Bennett.  But, more than ever before, Bennett had to remember to take his own CF medicine when he ate several meals at camp (he was mainly good at that).  And, he had to navigate experiences of reading, such as the words to music, despite that his dyslexia prevents him from reading independently just yet.  Despite these challenges, he did great!  And even more fantastic than that, Bennett's past bowel issues were NON ISSUES!  What a huge gift to be able to just enjoy camp without having to be reminded of CF!  

Bennett made lots of sweet friends at Theatre Camp, including one of the older kids, Ellie, who played the lead role of Cruella de Vil.  Bennett loved being around Ellie.  She made him feel really special.

Bennett also really loved hanging out with his friend from church, Syler, who is a few years older than Bennett and took him under his wing during the week.  Syler, a natural-born leader, won an award at camp for being most helpful to the other actors, particularly the younger ones.  

We are grateful to our sweet little friends, Adela and her little brother Gus, who came out to see Bennett in the play.  For me, as his mama, watching Bennett have fun on stage was really enjoyable but watching him doing it while knowing he is healthy was even more gratifying.

Maybe there be many more CF-free curtain calls for you, Bennett! Bravo!

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